There is so much we still do not know about Space and our solar system. But what we have discovered about it is already pretty extraordinary and amazing! Here are some of the more interesting facts about our magnificent Space.

Lightweight Saturn

Fact: If you could put Saturn in water, it would float.

Why do some objects float and others sink? We know that this has to do with the density of an object. If the object has a density less than water, it will float and if its density is greater than that of water, it will sink.

The density of water is approximately 1 g/cm 3 (one gram per cubic centimetre), or 0.998 g/cm 3 to be exact. Saturn’s density is only 0.687 g/cm 3 . Since its density is lower than that of water, Saturn would float, but we’ll probably never get to test this out!

Farewell Mr Moon

Fact: The moon is drifting away from Earth.

Each year, the moon moves approximately 3.8 centimetres further away from Earth. This is because of tidal forces. As a result of this, Earth’s rotation is also slowing down. But we are unable to feel its effects now because this is happening at a very slow speed.

What will happen as the moon moves away?

The gravitational force of the moon “pulls” on Earth’s oceans creating hightides and lowtides. What will happen as the moon moves further and further away from Earth?

The effect of the moon moving away is not noticeable now. In a million years’ time, however, its result will be more obvious. The tides will be weaker because of the moon’s weaker gravitational pull. The length of our days will also increase. Seasons might be affected and people will never be able to view a total solar eclipse.

Nobody can tell for certain what other effects or what may happen as the moon continues drifting away.

We Are Constantly Moving

Fact: We are moving through space at a speed of 530 kilometres per second.

Did you know that our galaxy is moving all the time? Our galaxy, also known as the Milky Way is spinning at a speed of 225 kilometres per second. In addition, it is travelling through space at a speed of 305 kilometres per second. In total, we are moving at a speed of 530 kilometres a second!

This means that even if you do not move for a minute, you are actually 19000 kilometres away from where you were. However, not all scientists agree on the speed with which the galaxy is travelling. Speeds range from 130 kilometres a second to 1000 kilometres a second.

Sun Power

Solar energy is energy from the sun and is produced by atomic reactions that take place inside the sun. Earth receives only about 2 one-billionth of the sun’s power, or solar energy.

Each minute, the amount of solar energy that falls on each square foot of Earth’s surface is about 126 watts. It is sufficient to light two standard 60-watt lightbulbs. That may not seem like a lot. But in just 40 minutes, the sun is able to deliver as much energy as people use in a year! Scientists believe that the sun will continue to give off energy for at least another 5 billion years.

Other Sun Facts

What colour is the sun? Almost all of us would say that the sun is yellow in colour. Actually, the sun appears to be yellow to us because we’re viewing it through Earth’s atmosphere. Judging from the sun’s surface temperature, its colour is probably closer to white than yellow.